Berkovic aims to take over as Israel coach

JERUSALEM, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Outspoken midfielder Eyal Berkovic says he is ready to take over as Israel coach and that incumbent Avraham Grant should quit.

In an interview with Israel's Channel 2 on Saturday, the
35-year-old Berkovic said a younger coach was needed after all
the older men had failed to take Israel to the World Cup finals
since 1970.

'I am prepared to retire (from playing) today...and coach
the national team,' he said. 'Maybe it's time to bring in new
blood, people who understand today's players, their psyche.

'If they ask me, I'll do it. It's an honour to coach the
national team.'

Berkovic, who won 82 caps, is back playing in Israel with
Maccabi Tel Aviv after spending nine years in Britain with
Southampton, West Ham United, Celtic, Blackburn Rovers,
Manchester City and Portsmouth.

He said Grant was wrong to portray as a success Israel's six
draws in the World Cup qualifying campaign against Group Four
rivals France, Switzerland, Ireland, Cyprus and Faroe Islands.

'I think it was a respectable campaign,' said Berkovic
referring to Israel's third-place finish. 'But we are no longer
interested in being respectable.

DIFFERENT APPROACH

'He (Grant) said we have never had such successes but did he
win many matches? Should we be proud of home draws?' said the
midfielder.

'I have a different approach...we have great attacking
players. I would want to win, I do not think a draw is a good
result.

'People say 'a draw, what pride', what are they talking
about? What pride can there be in a draw?'.

Berkovic was left out of the qualifying campaign by Grant.

'It's nothing personal against Avraham. I respect him...he
made a mistake and he should admit it and leave.

'He saw Greece's success (at Euro 2004) and thought he could
also 'win ugly' by playing defensively and grabbing a goal. But
he forgot we don't have Greece's ability to score with headers
from corners,' said Berkovic.

'He was scared I might criticise him occasionally so he said
'I'll leave him out'.'

Grant has refused to criticise Israel's Football Association
for its delay in either re-appointing him or sacking him.

But he is adamant his second spell in charge has been a
success.

'(Group winners) France scored less goals than we did but
took their chances. We have built up a group of strikers who I
am sure will make their mark in the next campaign,' said Grant.